The Boynton Beach Art District (BBAD) has been having these Art Walk and Open mic nights, each 4th Thursday of the month, since 2011. It’s grown in popularity as BBAD racks up press and awards for best Art Walk, and also as Rolando Chang Barerro, Artist and Director of BBAD, garners his own success and for his individual artistic work.

Consequently, the numbers of those involved expand as the word spreads through the grass roots of socially conscious South Florida. Local newspapers interested in reporting on the secret gems of Southern Floridian culture have all taken a specific liking to the BBAD, which has been a sort of darling for the local press.

For good reason too, there’s a lot to like and a lot to report on, from articles concerning one of the gallery showings that are often featured there, or perhaps one of the local artists who occupy one of the many studios, or maybe for the massive murals in various artistic stylings that align the rows of walls and garage doors throughout, also vendors and artists who make the trek from all over South Florida to sell and show their individual work, as well as musicians and poets who come out to perform on the open mic, with sizzling food trucks to provide fresh cuisine, and the surrounding local communities consisting of patrons, families, and friends.

From High Profile Collectors to Trinket and Do-Dad Hoarders?

Scenes like these, and what takes place at BBAD, rely and thrive on local folk who are interested in finding that one perfect picture or painting to take over that annoying empty space on their wall. The high profile collector who absolutely needs to stay on top of the newest trendy local painter. The trinket buyers and do-dad hoarders. These are the consumers that help keep this magical, vibrant art world turning while the circus of activity of swirls like a hurricane about them in the mystical local fair ground that is known as the Boynton Beach Art District.

A person cannot fully the grasp the entire breadth of the artistic community in South Florida without making the trip to the Boynton Beach Art District at least once. This Thursday is the perfect opportunity to make that happen.

BOYNTON BEACH--City of Boynton Beach youth, Javier Duarte, a/k/a, Javi du Art gets to show his work at ActivistArtistA Gallery/Studio,

before he decides which one of the Art Schools he will attend..

Javi was accepted in both: Pratt Institute and School of Visual Arts.

Both in NYC.

Prodigy and A Master Exhibition at ActivistArtistA Gallery

An exhibition of works by Javi Du Art, the youngest artist to be showcased at Art Palm Beach last January.

Javier Duarte will be exhibited along with a preview of selected works by the late Cuban Master, Pedro C. Ortiz which will open with a reception the following evening at Rolando Chang Barrero Fine Art Gallery in Lake Worth.

Pedro Carlos Ortiz was born in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, on October 20, 1932. He began his university studies in architecture at the University of Havana. In 1964, he left his homeland as a political exile and headed to Madrid, Spain, where he finished his studies and received a Doctorate in Architecture.

"What I paint are images and shadows that emerge from within me and that become realities."

-- P.Ortiz

The eclectic style of artist Pedro Carlos Ortiz

transports the viewer on a journey from the working class neighborhoods of mid-twentieth century Cuba to the sun-splashed streets of Madrid. Using surreal oils and inks, he conjures the rituals and mysticism of healers and mediums who practiced a mix of indigenous African religions and Roman Catholicism, while conversely, he employs bright colors and bold strokes to evoke the purity and spirituality of the

Madonna and San Rafael.

Ortiz, master of many media, possessed an extraordinary sensitivity and simplicity. His works capture the great love he devoted to his beloved homeland, a place he never abandoned in his heart and mind.

Have questions about Arté Cuba : The Work of Perdo C. Ortiz at RCB Fine Art Lake Worth, Florida?

Excerpt from letter from the Estate of Pedro Carlos Ortiz to Rolando Chang Barrero.

" I am honored that Rolando Chang Barrero has chosen my Husband's work to

begin his series on Cuban Masters from the early Vanguard to the Present.

Although my husband was a successful architect, as well as, a fine artist here in the United States I can honestly say his art gave him his greatest satisfaction. Pedro Loved creating and

sharing his art with as many as possible.

He was honored in his lifetime with several awards and Honors but there was not greater accomplishment to him than to place his paintings and acquire new Collectors. I am certain that Pedro would be thrilled to introduce his work to a new audience in Palm Beach County. Again I thank Rolando for this great opportunity and Homage".--Irma Ortiz, wife of the late Perdro Carlos Ortiz

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

The work of Cuban artist Pedro C. Ortiz (1932-2001)Reception: Friday, April 24, 2015 | 6-9 pmRSVPThis exhibition is free.Exhibition dates: April 24-May 15, 2015Rolando Chang Barrero Fine Art Gallery711 Lucerne AvenueLake Worth, Florida 33460Contact:Rolando Chang BarreroRCBfineart@gmail.com for more informationExhibition is organized by curator, Rolando Chang Barrero and Tony Montiel.Sponsored by Florida Arts Association®LAKE WORTH-An exhibition of works by the late artist, Perdro Carlos Ortiz. Ortiz ws a master of many media, possessed an extraordinary sensitivity and simplicity. His works capture the great love he devoted to his beloved homeland, a place he never abandoned in his heart and mind.

The eclectic style of artist Pedro Carlos Ortiz transports the viewer on a journey from the working class neighborhoods of mid-twentieth century Cuba to the sun-splashed streets of Madrid. Using surreal oils and inks, he conjures the rituals and mysticism of healers and mediums who practiced a mix of indigenous African religions and Roman Catholicism, while conversely, he employs bright colors and bold strokes to evoke the purity and spirituality of the Madonna and San Rafael.Highly collected, the paintings of Perdo C. Ortiz are found in prominent collections in the United States and abroad. Among the collectors of Ortiz' works are: The Cuban Museum, Miami FLOAS (Organization of American States) Museum of Latin ArtRadio Marti, Private Collection of Jose Antonio Font.

History:Pedro Carlos Ortizwas born in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, on October 20, 1932. He began his university studies in architecture at the University of Havana. In 1964, he left his homeland as a political exile and headed to Madrid, Spain, where he finished his studies and received a Doctorate in Architecture.

"What I paint are images and shadows that emerge from within me and that become realities."-- P. C. Ortiz " I collected Pedro for over 10 years and have a collection of 15 paintinghanging in my home. I love the magic they add to my walls and my collection".--Evy Baird Willis, Private Collector of Cuban Art and French Post Impressionist Art.

Excerpt from letter from the Estate of Pedro Carlos Ortiz to Rolando Chang Barrero.

" I am honored that Rolando Chang Barrero has chosen my Husband's work tobegin his series on Cuban Masters from the early Vanguard to the Present.Although my husband was a successful architect, as well as, a fine artist here in the United States I can honestly say his art gave him his greatest satisfaction. Pedro Loved creating andsharing his art with as many as possible.

He was honored in his lifetime with several awards and Honors but there was not greater accomplishment to him than to place his paintings and acquire new Collectors. I am certain that Pedro would be thrilled to introduce his work to a new audience in Palm Beach County. Again I thank Rolando for this great opportunity and Homage".--Irma Ortiz, wife of the late Perdro Carlos Ortiz For images contact: RCBFINEART@Gmail.com